The grey-crowned yellowthroat is a species of bird in the family Parulidae. It is found in Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, and the United States. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist shrubland and heavily degraded former forest.
Region
Mesoamerica
Typical Environment
Occurs from Mexico through Central America into Panama, with occasional records reaching the southern United States. It occupies moist shrublands, overgrown pastures, thickets, and edges of wetlands and second-growth forest. Birds typically stay low to mid-level in dense vegetation, where they glean prey from leaves and stems. They readily use disturbed habitats and degraded former forest as long as dense cover is present.
Altitude Range
0–1800 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The grey-crowned yellowthroat is a skulking New World warbler that favors dense, weedy or shrubby cover. Males often sing from semi-exposed perches, but quickly dive back into vegetation when disturbed. Its gray crown contrasts with bright yellow underparts, a helpful field mark in its range. It is generally common and adaptable to secondary growth and edges.
Adult near Los Robles in Costa Rica, 13 March 2024.
Temperament
skulking and secretive
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats low over vegetation
Social Behavior
Usually found singly or in pairs during the breeding season, maintaining small territories within dense cover. Nests are cup-shaped and placed low in grasses or shrubs; the female incubates while the male often guards and sings nearby. Both parents typically feed the nestlings.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A series of clear, varied whistles and chatters delivered from concealed or semi-exposed perches. Calls include sharp chips given when alarmed, with a scolding quality typical of yellowthroats.
Plumage
Olive-green upperparts with bright yellow throat and underparts; males show a gray crown and nape contrasting with the yellow face and throat, often with faint dusky lores. Females are duller with more olive on the head and paler yellow below. Both sexes have a relatively long tail often flicked and fanned.
Diet
Primarily consumes insects and other small arthropods, including beetles, caterpillars, grasshoppers, and spiders. It gleans prey from leaves and stems and occasionally sallies short distances to snatch moving insects. Small quantities of berries or seeds may be taken opportunistically, especially outside the breeding season.
Preferred Environment
Feeds in dense weed patches, hedgerows, marsh edges, and shrubby second growth where cover is thick. Often forages within the lower strata, moving methodically through tangles and grass clumps.
